The advertising profession reported a 3% increase in staff numbers in the 12 months from July 2004 to June 2005, with the greatest increase in NSW, according to the 2005 Salary Survey from the Advertising Federation of Australia (AFA).
During a booming period for the industry—which generally employs a high proportion of contractors—permanent staff increased from 38.5% in 2004 to 41.4%.
AFA director, Lesley Brydon, said this had reversed the trend of the last four years which saw staff numbers decline by almost 15% and agencies relying on part-time and freelance staff to allow flexibility.
The survey also reveals a significant increase in the number of women in senior management positions, including chairman, managing director, CEO and general manager roles. In 1994 the national average was just 7% whereas in 2005, 25.5% of senior management were women, compared to 19.4% in 2004 and Melbourne saw the biggest increase.
“This is a strong endorsement of the talent and experience women can bring to senior management roles. In this regard advertising is now keeping pace with other areas of business and the professions,” Brydon said.
But creative departments are bucking this trend and remain male dominated. The percentage of female creative directors is lower than last year, with just three out of every 47 positions held by women and the number of female creative staff in agencies has dropped from 26% last year to 23% this year.
The broader ranks of account management are predominantly held by women (69%) but senior ranks such as group account director are still dominated by men.
